Fred Thomas - J.S. Bach- Three Or One - Transcriptions by Fred Thomas (2021) [Official Digital Download]

On "Three Or One", Bach appears in transfigured light. Fred Thomas’ ECM New Series debut presents organ chorale preludes, vocal cantata movements and orchestral sinfonias – 24 pieces in all – transcribed for trio and solo piano by the British pianist himself. Throughout, Bach’s idiom is thoughtfully explored by three innovative players – a process Thomas describes as "quietly joyful" – and the trio pieces, primarily drawn from Bach’s Orgelbüchlein, acquire a fresh character in the hands of Thomas, violinist Aisha Orazbayeva and cellist Lucy Railton.

Both respectful of the original musical texts but unique in their execution, Thomas’ reformulations strike a rare balance between moderation and innovation. In the process, the pianist draws attention to various techniques used to "separate the voices and avoid the typical blending and blurring of the organ in a church. Particularly interesting to me", he explains, "was to illuminate how the musical characters interact, sometimes stubbornly ignoring one another as they continue their trajectories, other times moving in separate dimensions, unaware of anything but themselves, and often intertwining in a kind of blissful symbiosis".

TRACKLIST

1. Fred Thomas - Ach bleib bei uns, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 649 (Arr. Thomas)
2. Fred Thomas - Herr Christ, der ein’ge Gottes Sohn, BWV 601 (Arr. Thomas)
3. Fred Thomas - Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639 (Arr. Thomas)
4. Fred Thomas - Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt, BWV 637 (Arr. Thomas)
5. Fred Thomas - J.S. Bach: Erbarm dich mein, o Herre Gott, BWV 721 (Arr. Thomas)
6. Fred Thomas - Sinfonia (Arr. Thomas)
7. Fred Thomas - Alle Menschen müssen sterben, BWV 643 (Arr. Thomas)
8. Fred Thomas - Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich, BWV 605 (Arr. Thomas)
9. Fred Thomas - Christe, du Lamm Gottes, BWV 619 (Arr. Thomas)
10. Fred Thomas - Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 633 (Arr. Thomas)
11. Fred Thomas - Aria "Wie zittern und wanken der Sünder Gedanken" (Arr. Thomas)
12. Fred Thomas - Aria "Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten" (Arr. Thomas)
13. Fred Thomas - Aria "Jesu, meines Todes Tod" (Arr. Thomas)
14. Fred Thomas - Aria "Wie furchtsam wankten meine Schritte" (Arr. Thomas)
15. Fred Thomas - Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein, BWV Anh. 78 (Arr. Thomas)
16. Fred Thomas - J.S. Bach: Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV 723 (Arr. Thomas)
17. Fred Thomas - (Arr. Thomas)
18. Fred Thomas - O Lamm Gottes unschuldig, BWV 618 (Arr. Thomas)
19. Fred Thomas - Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 610 (Arr. Thomas)
20. Fred Thomas - J.S. Bach: Allein Gott in der Höh' sei Ehr', BWV 711 (Arr. Thomas)
21. Fred Thomas - In dulci jubilo, BWV 608 (Arr. Thomas)
22. Fred Thomas - Gott, durch deine Güte, BWV 600 (Arr. Thomas)
23. Fred Thomas - Das alte Jahr vergangen ist, BWV 614 (Arr. Thomas)
24. Fred Thomas - Meine Seele erhebt den Herren, BWV 648 (Arr. Thomas)



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